These past two weeks have been a roller coaster ride of emotions. We’ve had highs and lows, death and new life, and tears and smiles. As I entered the hospital last Tuesday, I never imagined our fifth and last biological child would make his entrance into this beautiful somewhat chaotic world. It all happened so quickly. Just the same, I wasn’t prepared for the death of my sweet, precious grandma just minutes before I was rushed to the operating room. How was all of this happening at the same time? I really didn’t have time to process it all. I do believe I felt peace knowing that if I didn’t make it out of surgery, my grandma and I would meet Jesus and enter the pearly gates of Heaven the exact same day.

I was hemorrhaging, and my doctor had warned me that my placenta may be through my uterus and even my bladder. I believe it was the nurse that reassured me that they had blood ready. And, some of the last words I remember hearing from her were, “The Lord sent you here for a reason.” Oh, how I loved to hear that reminder. She was sent straight from Heaven. The Lord knew that I needed her. Tammy is her name, and I will never forget it. She is such a precious soul. As they quickly rolled me to the operating room, I remember praying to The Lord and asking him to please spare my life if He knew I could be the wife and mother that He needed me to be. The next thing I felt was Jamie being taken from me.  All of a sudden, I was being prepped for surgery. As the nurses counted surgical instruments, the anesthesiologist was telling me to arch my back. I felt a huge pop, and the numbing had taken effect. Suddenly I was lying there unable to move more than the lower half of my body. I was trying my best to rest in the peace of our Savior and not let my claustrophobic tendencies take over. I started humming. I hummed a song that little James sings as he plays all through the house. He informed me after my surgery that my version and his version are a little different. But, that is okay because it reminded me of him and helped me stay focused on the Lord. Jamie had entered the room by this time, and I am sure he noticed my constant humming. It was like I was in a totally different place. “I love you Lord. I love you Lord for what you did on Calvary.” Pretty simple, huh? Well, I hummed that over and over and over again. Then I heard the most precious sound: Baby Jayce’s first cries. I looked at Jamie in disbelief. My little 29 weeker was crying. Our last two did not cry right when they were born. So, I was in total shock that little Jayce had let out his first cries. Time of birth: 3:34 p.m – 3 lbs 12 oz – 15 inches long

Job 1:21 – And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

The Lord took my grandma May 6, 2014, but He also gave me sweet Jayce Bryant. To be continued….